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The present paper deals with the morphological diversity of seedling establishment in different populations of Scaligeria stewartiana (Nasir) Nasir, inhabiting in North-West Himalayas. The seedling at different stages in the population of the species revealed marked variability. Seed treatments for germination resulted in understanding of seed dormancy and time required for the seedling establishment. The species develops variability in the genetic level that is transmitted and reflected in the form of morphology in order to adapt itself in the extremes of biotic and abiotic variables. Photographs of the seedling and data compiled in tables catch the specific stages of their seedling development after germination as well variability of the chromosomes. The initiation of tuber formation under the ground level in the soil and allocation of resources perform indispensable role in the life span as well as in paving the way for survival, conservation and distribution of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In India, oat is grown as fodder crop during Rabi season in north-western and central parts of the country and is now even extending to eastern region as well. The only commercially cultivated species in the genus Avena are Avena sativa, Avena nuda and Avena byzantine. Oat flowers are bit delicate when compared to other cereal floral structure and seed set is influenced by many factors during artificial hybridisation. This paper includes about floral biology of oat crop and also the various factors responsible for seed set during hybridisation viz effect of Interval Between Emasculation and Pollination, effect of temperature for seed set and any Injury to floral Parts during hybridisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlabelled: •, Premise of the Study: In India and elsewhere, transgenic Bt eggplant (Solanum melongena) has been developed to reduce insect herbivore damage, but published studies of the potential for pollen-mediated, crop- to- wild gene flow are scant. This information is useful for risk assessments as well as in situ conservation strategies for wild germplasm.•, Methods: In 2010-2014, we surveyed 23 populations of wild/weedy eggplant (Solanum insanum; known as wild brinjal), carried out hand-pollination experiments, and observed pollinators to assess the potential for crop- to- wild gene flow in southern India.•, Key Results: Wild brinjal is a spiny, low-growing perennial commonly found in disturbed sites such as roadsides, wastelands, and sparsely vegetated areas near villages and agricultural fields. Fourteen of the 23 wild populations in our study occurred within 0.5 km of cultivated brinjal and at least nine flowered in synchrony with the crop. Hand crosses between wild and cultivated brinjal resulted in seed set and viable F1 progeny. Wild brinjal flowers that were bagged to exclude pollinators did not set fruit, and fruit set from manual self-pollination was low. The exserted stigmas of wild brinjal are likely to promote outcrossing. The most effective pollinators appeared to be bees (Amegilla, Xylocopa, Nomia, and Heterotrigona spp.), which also were observed foraging for pollen on crop brinjal.•, Conclusion: Our findings suggest that hybridization is possible between cultivated and wild brinjal in southern India. Thus, as part of the risk assessment process, we assume that transgenes from the crop could spread to wild brinjal populations that occur nearby., (© 2015 Botanical Society of America, Inc.)